Hagia Sophia guided tours | A walk through Istanbul's crown jewel

Enjoy expert storytelling, skip-the-line access, and a 5+ language audio guide for 3 of Istanbul’s most iconic sites.

• Everything you get at Blue Mosque: Skip the long lines and head straight to the Blue Mosque’s grand prayer hall. Get insights into this stained-glass-lit monument, with an English-speaking guide and an audio guide.
• Everything you get at Hagia Sophia: Access the Upper Gallery of Hagia Sophia—an area once reserved for royalty. Avoid the wait and admire its breathtaking mosaics at your own pace, while enjoying a detailed audio guide.
• Everything you get at Basilica Cistern: Take an underground walk into the Basilica Cistern’s cool and quiet spaces. Skip long wait lines, and walk in to admire the marble columns and the famous Medusa heads with an expert guide.
• Why choose this combo: In just 4 hours, visit three of Istanbul’s top landmarks in one day, with one easy ticket. Skip the long lines with this flexible ticket and explore each site with expert English-speaking guides and immersive audio guides.

Inclusions #

Basilica Cistern

• 1-hour guided tour of Basilica Cistern

• Skip-the-line entry

• Expert English-speaking guide

• Audio app downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, & Turkish

Hagia Sophia

• 2-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia

• Skip-the-line entry

• Expert English-speaking guide

• Entry to Hagia Sophia visiting area & Upper Gallery

• Audio guide downloadable in English, German, French, Italian, & Spanish

Blue Mosque

• 1-hour guided tour to the Blue Mosque

• Skip-the-line entry (as per option selected)

• Expert English-speaking guide

Exclusions #

• Scarf and body cover at the Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia

Basilica Cistern

• Tip: Be sure to walk to the far end of the cistern to see the famous Medusa heads—many visitors miss them by turning back too soon.
• Floors can be slick in places due to moisture, so wear stable footwear with a good grip.
• For a quieter, more serene experience, visit first thing in the morning or just before closing when crowds are less.
• Skip-the-line tickets help cut down wait time. However, security screenings are compulsory for all visitors and will take time.

Hagia Sophia

• Due to ongoing renovations, certain sections of the interiors may be obstructed by scaffolding.
• Tip: Security checks can take up to an hour in summer (June–August), so plan your visits accordingly.
• Only the Upper Gallery is open to visitors; the main prayer hall is reserved for worshippers and not accessible to visitors.
• Access is paused during daily prayers, so plan your visit between those times.
• Tourist entry is paused every Friday from noon to around 2:30pm for weekly prayers.
• Visitors are required to dress modestly – so please cover your head, shoulders, and knees. Women are also required to wear scarves. If you forget to bring your own, there are scarves available at the entrance.

Blue Mosque

• Tip: The Blue Mosque is closed to non-worshippers during the five daily prayers, so make sure you check local prayer times before visiting.
• Visitors are required to dress modestly – so please cover your head, shoulders, and knees. Women are also required to wear scarves. If you forget to bring your own, there are scarves available at the entrance.
• Shoes must be removed before entering. Make sure you bring a small bag to carry them.

Discover Istanbul’s treasures, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, in one convenient combo instead of two tickets.

• Everything you get at Hagia Sophia: Enjoy skip-the-line entry and choose between a 1-1.5-hour guided tour with an English-speaking guide, a small group German guided tour, or a self-guided audio tour to explore the landmark at your own pace.
• Everything you get at the Blue Mosque: Get fast-track entry and choose between a 1-1.5-hour guided tour with an English-speaking guide, a small group German guided tour, or a self-guided audio tour for insights into the mosque’s traditions and heritage.
• Why choose this: Skip the hassle of separate bookings and enjoy expert storytelling and priority access to two landmarks in one booking.
• Upgrades: Enhance your journey with a guided tour of Basilica Cistern or the Topkapi palace complete with skip-the-line access.

Inclusions #

• Hagia Sophia

  • Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia

  • 1-1.5-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia (as per option selected)

  • Expert licensed English-speaking guide (as per option selected)

  • German small group guided tour (as per option selected)

  • Multilingual audio guide available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (as per option selected)

• Blue Mosque

  • Skip-the-line entry to Blue Mosque

  • 1-1.5-hour guided tour of Blue Mosque (as per option selected)

  • Expert licensed English-speaking guide (as per option selected)

  • German small group guided tour (as per option selected)

  • Multilingual audio guide available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (as per option selected)

• Entry to Basilica Cistern and Topkapi palace (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

• Food and drinks

• Gratuities/tips

• Souvenir photos

• Tour guide (for the audio guided tour)

What to bring Hagia Sophia

• Carry a lightweight scarf or shawl so you can cover up appropriately before entering.

Blue Mosque

• Bring a modest covering such as a wrap or headscarf, as you will need it inside the mosque.

What is not allowed Hagia Sophia

• Oversized bags and bulky backpacks are not permitted past security.

Blue Mosque

• Large bags are restricted at the entrance, so plan to bring only small personal items.

Accessibility Hagia Sophia

• Only the ground level is accessible for wheelchair users, since the upper gallery cannot be reached with mobility aids.

Blue Mosque

• The Blue Mosque is wheelchair accessible with pathways designed to accommodate mobility needs.

Additional information Hagia Sophia

• Due to ongoing renovations, certain sections of the interiors may be obstructed by scaffolding.
• Women and men should avoid clothing that exposes shoulders or chest, and skirts or shorts above the knees.
• Scarves and cover-ups can be purchased on-site if you do not have your own.
• Expect a mandatory security check. Lines can be long, especially midday, so later hours after 4 pm are often smoother.
• If you plan to use the audio guide, remember to bring your own headphones.
• The first-floor prayer hall is reserved exclusively for Turkish citizens.
• Opening hours are 9 am to 7:30 pm. On Fridays it closes temporarily from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.

Blue Mosque

• Ensure you follow the modest dress requirements. If you forget a scarf or cover-up, you can purchase one at the entrance.
• Visiting times are available until 11 am and then again after 2 pm. On Fridays, entry is only permitted after 2 pm.

Join an expert English-speaking guide to skip the lines and explore the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia.

• Everything you get: Skip the long ticket lines and enjoy a one-hour guided tour of Hagia Sophia, where your licensed English-speaking guide reveals the secrets of its mosaics, dome, and centuries of imperial history.
• Why choose this: Make the most of your visit, skip the lines, and uncover the layers of history with insights only an expert can provide.
• Upgrades: For a complete experience, enhance your visit with a guided historical and cultural tour of the Blue Mosque.

Inclusions #

• Skip-the-line entry to Hagia Sophia

• Guided tour of Hagia Sophia

• Expert licensed English-speaking guide

• Skip-the-line entry to Blue Mosque (as per option selected)

• Guided tour of Blue Mosque (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

• Food and drinks

• Gratuities/tips

• Souvenir photos

What to bring

• Dress modestly and bring scarves or cover-ups to use before entering the mosque.

What's not allowed

• Large bags, backpacks, and tripods are not permitted.
• Food and drinks are not allowed inside.
• Flash photography and tripods are not allowed.

Accessibility

• Hagia Sophia is partially wheelchair accessible with ramps and special access to the ground floor only. The upper floor is not accessible.

Additional information

• Due to ongoing renovations, certain sections of the interiors may be obstructed by scaffolding.
• Women must cover their hair, shoulders, and knees, while men must cover their shoulders and knees. Scarves and cover-ups are available at the entrance.
• You can bypass the ticket lines, but security checks are mandatory. Security lines may take up to 30 minutes and up to 60 minutes during peak season (June to August).
• The ground floor is designated for prayers, while the second floor is open to visitors.
• During the five daily prayers, certain areas are restricted to tourists. Hagia Sophia is closed on Fridays from noon to 2:30 pm for the Friday prayer.

Inclusions #

• Skip the line entry to Hagia Sophia

• Guided tour of Hagia Sophia

• Skip the line entry to Topkapi Palace (including Harem section) & guided tour (optional)

• Skip the line entry to Basilica Cistern & guided tour (optional)

• Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace audio guide (English, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Chinese, Turkish)

Exclusions #

• Headsets

• Hotel transfers

• Meal inclusions

Day 1

• Hagia Sophia Mosque
• Bosphorus Cruise Tickets

Day 2

• Topkapi Palace
• Basilica Cistern

Inclusions #

• 60-min Topkapi Palace tour with skip-the-line entry

• 30-min Basilica Cistern tour with skip-the-line entry

• 60-min Hagia Sophia tour with entry

• 90-min Bosphorus Cruise ticket

• English-speaking guide for all attractions

• Audio app in 10 languages

Inclusions #

• Istanbul small-group Old City tour

• Professional English or Chinese-speaking guide

• Round-trip transfers by AC luxury vehicle

• Lunch

• Museum entrance fees (except Hagia Sophia & Topkapi) (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

• Paid entry to Hagia Sophia for EUR 25

Inclusions #

• Full-day guided tour of Troy

• English-speaking guide

• Pick-up & drop-off from central Istanbul hotels

• Dardanelles ferry tickets

• Lunch

• Entry to Troy

• Transfers by air-conditioned bus (Istanbul – Canakkale – Istanbul)

Exclusions #

• Drinks during lunch

• Open buffet breakfast (available at an additional cost)